Cinemagraphs Come to Facebook Cover Videos

Click the cinemagraph above to see it full screen, or grab the embed code

Cover Images for Facebook Business Pages Can Now Include Cinemagraphs

Once again, Facebook is changing the way business pages look. In late 2015, Facebook introduced the option to add video to your personal Facebook Profile. Many swapped out boring static images for fun looping videos! Flixel was actually chosen as one of a few apps to be included in the Facebook Profile Expression Kit last year, joining Vine, Boomerang, and Facebook’s MSQRD as apps directly integrated with the feature. But, profile videos was just the start — Facebook is continuing to push video on their platform in new and creative ways.

We’ve been waiting for this day for a while now. Facebook Cover Videos are here!

The option to add a cover video is starting to roll out to business pages on Facebook. We were lucky enough to see this feature pop up on the Flixel Photos Facebook page today!

Although most Facebook Business Pages have yet to see this update, we wanted our readers to be prepared for when their day comes!

Here’s everything you need to know about using Facebook Cover Videos:

Users will upload a cover video in the same way they upload a cover photo now

Facebook Cover videos can be 20-90 seconds in length, no longer, no shorter

The recommended video crop is 820 x 312 pixels

Cover videos auto-play and auto-loop

In the bottom right corner, there is a mute/un-mute option

Facebook Cover videos start playing with the sound muted

You know what this means, right? Cinemagraphs are pretty much made for cover videos. Traditional video, filled with lots of different cuts, scenes, and chatter, may appear busy on a Facebook Profile or Page. Cinemagraphs, on the other hand, have a more classy appeal. They require no sound, contain a perfect loop, and draw attention without screaming for it.

If you haven’t received the update yet, you can still add some cinemagraph action to your profile. Use Cinemagraph Pro for iOS to create and share your Facebook Profile Video! Check out our tutorial below to learn how. And don’t forget you can try Cinemagraph Pro for macOS or Cinemagraph Pro for iOS free.

Let us know if the comments if you’ve got access to the new Facebook Cover Video feature, or if you’ve seen other company pages using them!

When Cassandra was six, she was asked to share a story with her class…and hasn’t stopped telling them since. Now she does so through photography, video and writing, but with the same sense of wonder - and love for glitter - as her inner kid.

Our pages were granted the ability to upload cover videos, and we uploaded videos to both. The videos were on there for a while, but the option has now been taken away on both pages i.e. a random frame from the video is showing as a still photo now, and the option to upload video is no longer available on either page!

MegaMusic Online - That is the same thing that happened to me. It played for about ten days and then became a random frame and no option to upload a new video. Finally, today, I had the option again, uploaded a fresh video that plays fine in my timeline but fails to play in the cover area. Still searching for a solution since all FB keeps saying is to clear cached files and cookies but that didn't help.

@disqus_dabLpenk1j:disqus @disqus_njj2rm2c5k:disqus I'm pleased to say that, after a brief absence, the option to have cover videos is back for both our pages!
https://www.facebook.com/MegaMusicOnline/
https://www.facebook.com/MegaMusicWangara/
Hope you have some luck with it.
Cheers

I had left the video in place for over a week even though it only showed a static image and two days ago it started playing. I wish I could share why but have no idea waht made it start again. Keep the faith is about all I can say.
https://www.facebook.com/RoundLakeAreaNews

It seems to be a bit finicky right now! Hopefully they work out all of kinks. I would keep checking back to see if it changes– this happened to our Flixel Facebook page as well. https://www.facebook.com/flixelphotos/

I'll have to keep my eyes open for this on our page! In the meantime, I still don't have the option to upload a profile video. My only options are "Upload Photo" or "Upload Video." Do you know if the profile video feature is also still being rolled out? I've been waiting patiently! Thanks!

Hi Alicia. The profile video option should be available to all PERSONAL FB profiles. Haven't seen the option for business profiles. Whereas this cover video option is appearing only for BUSINESS FB pages right now. Hopefully everyone gains access to this new addition soon. Great way to show off cinemagraphs and short looping videos.

16:9 is good, but just keep in mind that the video will be cropped to the 820x312 constraints, just like cover photos are cropped. Want to make sure all of the eye catching visuals and motion are kept within a more narrow plane in the cinemagraph.

Hi Natalie! Sorry for the late reply. I think a slow mo would definitely be effective. Traditional video that has fast cuts is not as appealing, but cinemagraphs and slow movement draw attention without "assaulting" the viewer's eyes.

I've found that in order to create thumbstopping cinemagraphs for social media, subtle movements just don't get noticed in time to stop anybody in their tracks. In my view, a great thumbstopper cinemagraph should include TWO elements of obvious movement, each taking up roughly 30-40% of the pixels in the shot, and then cropped square to maximise impact on smartphones...

btw, it it were possible to upload / attach a cinemagraph to this post instead of just a .jpg I could show you what I mean.

I have videos running on several of my pages, some with audio and some without. Some taking up the full width and others using only a portion. If I find a video that only has a portion in motion it saves me the time of creating a cinemagraph.
https://www.facebook.com/RoundLakeAreaNews
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfRoundLakeBeachMeijer

Video is a great medium to tell a brand story. Cinemagraphs are another way to do just that, but with more subtlety. Your video is nice because the camera is stable and the scene loops! It's one step away from a cinemagraph.